Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Glendale, CA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Glendale

California
214

Austin is 37% cheaper than Glendale.

$1,655/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$2,095/mo ↑ 27%
$91,461/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$84,262/yr ↓ 8%
$512,700 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$1,043,900 ↑ 104%
$1,747/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$2,212/mo ↑ 27%
967,862
Population
192,270

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Glendale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 214 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $440/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $5,280/year.

Median household income is $7,199/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,043,900 in Glendale.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Glendale — common questions

Is Austin or Glendale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 214 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Glendale?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Glendale it's $2,095/month — a difference of $440/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Glendale?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $84,262 in Glendale. Median household income is $7,199/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Glendale?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Glendale has a cost index of 214 with rent of $2,095/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Glendale details →

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